Designing the Unexpected

Today we’ll look at one way of designing the unexpected. It
is good to think outside of the box, but when you work in squares (boxes) sometimes
it’s good to explore the box and see exactly what you can do with what you
have!

From the photo of this huge quilt block displayed in
downtown Geneva, Ohio, I took the colors I wanted to work with. It’s predominately
a jewel tone pallet so this will be a bold color choice with which to work.

I decided to set the cornerstone on point and create a full-bleed banner for my page. I cut purple cardstock to 3.25” x 12” and scored 1/8” along each of the long edges and down the center (1 5/8”). (Martha Stewart Scoring Board)

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected with all the cuts for the banner, the Carpenter’s Star Die tiles

Next, I scored at 1.5”, 4.5”, 7.5”, and 10.5” along the horizontal side.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected lining up the tiles along the scored markings

I needed to cut 8 of the Carpenter Stars 2×2 in purple and 10 of the smaller 1” stars also in purple. I also used the 2.125” grid die to cut the 2×2 squares I needed to mount the Carpenter Stars to work out the pattern. Adhere the die-cut to the 2×2 square using a glue pen.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected with the Carpenter’s Star Die assembling the sections

TIP: Place a weight on the tiles as you finish them to give the glue a little extra help in setting up flat.

I had 5 colors ivory, gold, purple cabbage, denim, navy and
green and I cut 2 of each color except the ivory I think that was four because
I was planning to use more of that in the squares. You can choose the amounts
of each that you want to use. Sort the colors to be able to work quickly and
easily with them.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected with the Carpenter’s Star Die piecing the colors to create a pattern

For the 1” squares I cut 2 – 1” squares of each of five
colors (but not the ivory). Mount the 1” stars on the color tiles, set aside to
attach later.

With one tile at a time, begin to fill the spaces in the
star pattern. I began by laying in the colors to see how things would look and
be able to make changes before I glue them in place. Arrange them to see how
they will look together in the full row and then once you have the pattern you
are happy with go back and remove the pieces and use you glue pen to “draw” the
inside with glue and then drop in the pieces.

TIP: I take
photos of the arrangement so I don’t forget where each tile was to go or where the
colors in each tile belong, just in case an enthusiastic child disturbs things
before I get to them to glue in place!

Once all the pieces are completed give them a little time to
set up, set them aside and cut your mats for the photos you will add to your
layout. I have 4 – 3×3 for photos and a 4×6 mat to add my journaling.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected journaling

For the journaling, I used a photo of the copybook cover for the Spencerian Script, turned it to Black and White and reduced the opacity to use it as a background for the journaling block. This actually fills the background with a little interest as well as reminds me of my connection to it!

Now back to designing the unexpected and creating this
colorful banner!

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected assembling the banner. Notice how the score lines align with the grid? this keeps everything spaced properly and easy to assemble

Four Carpenter’s Tiles will fill the center. I began on the right of center and lined up at the center intersection of lines, the top, and bottom score lines and the far-right horizontal line. Adhere. Repeat with the next to the right and then begin in the center-left and work to the left edge.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected The small white squares will be top and bottom the green squares side to side.

Now the next step may have you a bit nervous, but it isn’t
as hard as you think. Each of the next 3 tiles will get halved horizontally, so
determine where each should go before you begin to cut. Lightly tack the back
of the tile and match corners with the lines on the grid vertically and
horizontally.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected Using the grid to cut corner to corner with precision.

Using your cork-backed ruler carefully line your tile with the horizontal cut line going top to bottom. We always cut with a downstroke, not an across stroke; it is safer and more accurate. Carefully draw your X-Acto Knife down, top to bottom. PLEASE work with sharp blades for best results. Don’t rush! I took three times to cut carefully through the layers to be sure I got a clean cut.

Do not worry if your cut through the center of the die doesn’t
look perfect, you will not notice this in the final piece.

Attach each section to the top and bottom of the three spots
between the center row by butting the edges up to each other, leaving no
spaces.

The only thing remaining is to fill in the end bits. Take your remaining Carpenters Star Tile and use a cross of dot glue to anchor the tile to your grid. Repeat the cut you have done with the rest. Then turn your grid a quarter turn and cut again. Now you have four sections to fill in the end sections of this border piece.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected Cutting the end pieces remember to rotate your grid

Depending on your preferences this border can go at the top
or the bottom of your page. Just align the top edge to the top edge of the grid
squares and then fit side to side.

The 1” tile Squares will line the opposite end of the page. Finish
the page with 4 – 3×3 mats and 1 – 4×6 mat. I placed my journaling in the
center, but another photo could easily be featured here too.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected with the Carpenter’s Star Die Bold and Beautiful Border!

This banner gives you a look of a full mosaic window! Even the edges of the tiles being edge-to-edge create a nice on-point square border. Using the same color cardstock as the Grid Paper lets the design float off of the page. The banner can be a decorative touch as I’ve used it or a backdrop to place a title with any of the Alphabet dies.

Mosaic Moments The Unexpected with the Carpenter’s Star Die

This page was actually my second page using this idea; the first is a Christmas layout I’ve prepared for one of my camp projects. As I was working on it, it occurred to me it would also fit the bill for this week’s post! So here’s a sneak peek at the project to get an idea how another color combo would work!

Second color combo for the same pattern design using the Mosaic Moments Carpenter’s Star die

Get playing around with your dies and see what unexpected
designs you come up with for your pages!